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Species · Utah · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Utah

All statesGrassland birds

Ring-necked Pheasant in Utah has collapsed: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-80%Since 1970TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
48Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
56YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Ring-necked Pheasant Trends in UtahNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc declinecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Ring-necked Pheasant has collapsed in Utah: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Forecast in Utah

If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Utah is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.66 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–2.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.00Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–2.695% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±52.4%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Ring-necked Pheasant in Utah is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.66 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–2.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.200.002.8
20260.120.002.7
20270.040.002.6
20280.000.002.6
20290.000.002.6

Ring-necked Pheasant Survey Routes in Utah

Routes recording Ring-necked Pheasant in Utah.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Bear River2020231992
Jensen1320241992
Promontory920241969
Delta620241987
Castleton419851973
Castle Dale420241993
Hanna419971997
Timpie Spg320001978
Altonah320011978
Dragerton320221986
Aneth320071987
Vernon320241992
Callao320011994
Beck 2319951995
Lynn220231982
Vernal220172003
Wellington220022000
Escalante220241998
Wellington 3120232012
Oak City120231973
Goshen120241968
Willow Creek119951995
Woodruff120192009
Beaver120001968
Hanksville120161993

Ring-necked Pheasant Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonacaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawareidahoillinoisindianaiowakansasmainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.